Ceiling vent diffuser

Abstract

A device for altering the airflow pattern from a ceiling vent diffuser by obstructing openings in a region of the diffuser. The device comprises a flexible member that is secured to a diffuser vane by a hook member and two tabs. The hook member has two or more engagement regions which enable it to engage vanes on different manufacturer's diffusers. The first end of the hook member is either pivotally secured to the flexible member or is engaged in an adjustment mechanism thereon. The adjustment mechanism allows the second end of the hook to be situated in different positions relative to an interior edge of the flexible member so as to accommodate different diffusers. An extension detachably engages the flexible member to increase the size thereof to accommodate larger diffusers.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for altering the airflow pattern from a vent diffuser that includes one or more vanes, an interior surface, an exterior surface and one or more openings through which air flows from the interior surface of the diffuser to the exterior surface thereof said device comprising:
 a flexible member having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 a locking mechanism provided on the inner surface of the flexible member and being adapted to detachably retain the flexible member on the vent diffuser such that the flexible member obstructs at least one opening in a region of the vent diffuser and thereby substantially prevents airflow from that obstructed region; and wherein the locking mechanism includes: 
 a hook member having a first end adjacent the inner surface of the flexible member and a second end remote therefrom; and wherein the hook member extends outwardly from the inner surface and wherein the second end of the hook member extends toward the inner surface of the flexible member and includes a first engagement region and a second engagement region, and wherein the second end of the hook member is adapted to engage one of the vanes of the vent diffuser in one of the first engagement region and the second engagement region; and 
 an adjustment mechanism provided on the inner surface of the flexible member; wherein the adjustment mechanism defines a channel therein which extends for a distance along the inner surface of the flexible member and the channel has a length and a width and wherein the first end of the hook member is engaged in the channel of the adjustment mechanism and is selectively movable along the length of the channel and across the inner surface of the flexible member between a first position and a second position; and, when the first end of the hook member is in the first position, the second end of the hook member is disposed in a first location set at a first distance relative to the inner surface of the flexible member; and when the first end of the hook member is in the second position, the second end of the hook member is disposed in a second location set at a second distance relative to the inner surface of the flexible member. 
 
     
     
       2. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement region comprises:
 a first face; and 
 a second face, wherein the second face is disposed at a first angle relative to the first face; and wherein the first engagement region is adapted to selectively receive a first edge of the one of the vanes of the vent diffuser in a first angled region between the first and second faces. 
 
     
     
       3. The device as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the second engagement region comprises:
 a third face; and 
 a fourth face, wherein the fourth face is disposed at a second angle relative to the third face; and wherein the second engagement region is adapted to selectively receive the first edge of the one of the vanes of the vent diffuser in a second angled region between the third and fourth faces. 
 
     
     
       4. The device as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising a third engagement region that is adapted to selectively engage the first edge of the one of the vanes of the vent diffuser therein, and wherein the third engagement region comprises:
 a fifth face; and 
 a sixth face, wherein the sixth face is disposed at a third angle relative to the fifth face; and wherein the third engagement region is adapted to selectively receive the first edge of the one of the vanes of the vent diffuser in a third angled region between the fifth and sixth faces. 
 
     
     
       5. The device as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the first, second and third engagement regions are disposed along an inside edge of the second end of the hook member and opposite the inner surface of the flexible member. 
     
     
       6. The device as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of additional engagement regions comprised of two faces disposed at an angle relative to each other and adapted to selectively receive the first edge of the one of the vanes of the vent diffuser therein; and wherein each of the additional engagement regions is disposed on the inside edge of the second end of the hook member. 
     
     
       7. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a connector member disposed on the inner surface of the flexible member, and wherein the connector member is fixedly secured to the inner surface of the flexible member in a fixed orientation relative to the inner surface; and the connector member is adapted to engage a different region of the one of the vanes from that engaged by the hook member. 
     
     
       8. The device as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the connector member comprises:
 a tab fixedly secured to the inner surface of the flexible member and extending outwardly therefrom, said tab in combination with the inner surface of the flexible member being adapted to engage a second edge of the one of the vanes. 
 
     
     
       9. The device as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the tab includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is fixedly secured to the inner surface of the flexible member, is generally planar along its length, and is disposed at an angle relative to the inner surface of the flexible member; wherein the second section extends outwardly from an end of the first section; and wherein the second section is curved along its length and arches away from the inner surface of the flexible member. 
     
     
       10. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:
 a first guide and a second guide engaged with the inner surface of the flexible member, each of the first and second guides being oriented generally at right angles to the interior edge of the flexible member; wherein the channel is defined between the first and second guides; and when the first end of the hook member is in the first position the first end of the hook is closer to the interior edge of the flexible member than when the first end of the hook member is in the second position. 
 
     
     
       11. The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism further includes:
 a stop extending outwardly from the inner surface of the flexible member and into the channel, and: 
 a slot is defined in the first end of the hook member and is sized to receive the stop of the adjustment mechanism therein; and wherein the stop is selectively engageable in the slot in any one of a plurality of different positions. 
 
     
     
       12. The device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the stop is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and when in the engaged position, the stop substantially prevents movement of the first end of the hook member along the length of the channel, and when in the disengaged position, the stop does not prevent movement of the first end of the hook member in the channel. 
     
     
       13. The device as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an aperture defined in the flexible member and extending between the inner and outer surfaces thereof; and wherein the locking mechanism further includes: 
 a release button engaged with the hook member and extending through the aperture, and wherein a portion of the release button extends for a distance outwardly beyond the outer surface of the flexible member; and wherein the release button is selectively movable to an engaged position, and when in the engaged position, the release button is adapted to release the hook member from engagement with a vane of a diffuser to which the hook member is attached. 
 
     
     
       14. The device as defined in  claim 1 , where in the flexible member further includes an interior edge and an exterior edge opposed thereto, and side edges extending between the interior and exterior edges thereof; and wherein the device further comprises an extension member which is selectively engageable with one of the interior and exterior edges of the flexible member to increase the overall length of the flexible member and is subsequently removable therefrom to return the flexible member to its original length. 
     
     
       15. The device as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the extension member comprises:
 a planar member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end and side edges extending therebetween, and 
 a connector assembly provided adjacent one of the first and second ends for selectively engaging the planar member to one of the interior and exterior edges of the flexible member. 
 
     
     
       16. The device as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the one of the first and second ends which engages the one of the interior and exterior edges is of substantially the same length as the one of the interior and exterior edges and the other of the first and second ends is shorter than the one of the interior and exterior edges. 
     
     
       17. The device as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the connector assembly comprises:
 a first flange extending outwardly from the outer surface of the extension member and parallel thereto, said first flange extending for a distance outwardly beyond the one of the first and second ends of the extension member; 
 a second flange extending outwardly from the inner surface of the extension member and parallel thereto, said second flange extending for a distance outwardly beyond the one of the first and second ends of the extension member; and 
 a gap defined between the first and second flanges; and wherein the one of the interior and exterior edges of the flexible member is received within the gap and is retained therein. 
 
     
     
       18. The device as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the one of the interior and exterior edges of the flexible member includes a lip that projects beyond one or both of the inner and outer surfaces thereof, and the upper flange of the extension member defines a shoulder positioned to interlockingly engage the lip when the flexible member and extension member are engaged with each other. 
     
     
       19. A device for altering the airflow pattern from a ceiling vent diffuser having an interior surface and an exterior surface and where the airflow through the diffuser is from the interior surface and toward the exterior surface thereof, said device comprising:
 a flexible member having an inner surface, an outer surface, an interior edge, an exterior edge and a pair of side edges extending between the interior and exterior edges; 
 a locking mechanism extending from the interior surface and being adapted to detachably engage the flexible member to the vent diffuser so as to obstruct a region of openings in the diffuser and thereby substantially prevent airflow from that obstructed region; and wherein the locking mechanism comprises: 
 a tab fixedly secured to the inner surface of the flexible member and extending outwardly therefrom, said tab in combination with the inner surface of the flexible member being adapted to engage a second edge of the one of the vanes; 
 a first hook member secured to the inner surface of the flexible member and extending outwardly therefrom, said first hook member having a first end and a second end and being resiliently biased to engage a second edge of one of the vanes; and 
 an adjustment mechanism disposed on the inner surface of the flexible member; and wherein the first end of the first hook member is engaged with the adjustment mechanism and is movable therein between a first position and a second position; and, when the first end of the first hook member is in the first position, the second end of the first hook member is disposed in a first location set at a first distance relative to the inner surface of the flexible member; and when the first end of the first hook member is in the second position, the second end of the first hook member is disposed in a second location set at a second distance relative to the inner surface of the flexible member and wherein moving the hook member between the first and second positions results in the first end of the hook member moving along the inner surface of the flexible member. 
 
     
     
       20. The device as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the second end of the first hook member is curved relative to the first end thereof and in a direction extending toward the inner surface of the flexible member and wherein the first hook member is spring-biased toward the inner surface of the flexible member. 
     
     
       21. The device as defined in  claim 20 , further comprising at least one additional hook member that is selectively engageable with the adjustment mechanism when the first hook member is disengaged therefrom, and wherein the at least one additional hook member includes a second end that is differently configured to the second end of the first hook member.